Bournemouth University Vice-chancellor Under Fire for Pay Rise

The vice-chancellor of Bournemouth University has come under fire for taking a 20% pay rise, while his staff received an increase of just 1%.

Professor John Vinney has drawn criticism for taking pay and benefits worth £305,000, according to a report by the University and College Union (UCU).

The increase in remuneration was the third largest individual pay rise in UK universities and follows previous criticism received in 2014 when the university awarded him a 19% pay rise.

Commenting on the pay rise, UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: "Staff and students at the University of Bournemouth might be surprised to learn that the vice-chancellor enjoyed an inflation-busting pay rise of 20% at a time when staff pay is being held down and student fees are set to rise.

"Unless government steps in, we believe some vice-chancellors will continue to spend public money and students' fees with impunity. The huge disparities in the levels of pay at the top expose the arbitrary and secretive nature of senior pay and perks in our universities."

In response Bournemouth University indicated that professor John Vinney's pay package is set by the university's independent remuneration committee and that his basic salary remains in line with the average salary when compared across the sector.